ANSMANN launches ACS110 lightweight
switch-mode universal battery pack charger

ANSMANN, the leading manufacturer of mobile energy solutions for industrial, consumer and hobby applications, has launched the ACS110 lightweight switch-mode universal battery pack charger. The ACS110 is ideal for manufacturers of portable industrial equipment and instrumentation but is also potentially suitable for all equipment with battery packs.

The ACS110 provides maximum user flexibility enabling the wide range of battery packs available on the market today to be re-charged with only one charger. It comes complete with eight changeable output plugs for connection to the battery pack with selection for centre positive or negative. Also, the ACS110's wide input voltage of 100V to 240V and universal mains plug set, including UK, European, USA and Australian mains plug options, allow it to be used virtually anywhere in the world.

ANSMANN ACS110 lightweight switch-mode universal battery pack charger is ideal for use in a variety of industries.

The ACS110 charges both NiCd (Nickel Cadmium) and NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) battery packs for capacities from 500mAh to 6700mAh. A user-selectable pre-discharge option minimises battery memory effect common with NiCd batteries by fully discharging the battery pack prior to automatically starting the charging process.

The ACS110 charging process is governed by its custom negative delta peak microcontroller. It starts in test mode automatically detecting the size of the connected battery pack in terms of the number of cells it contains, identifying to the user whether any cells are faulty or if the battery pack is reverse connected. Once satisfied everything is in order, the charger starts the 800mA fast charge process auto-selecting the charge requirement between 1.2V (one cell) and 12V (10 cells) until it is fully charged when it switches to the 80mA trickle charge to keep it topped-up. A built-in safety timer automatically switches the charger to trickle charge should the cells fail to peak within a 10 hour period.

The ACS110 is approved for use in the USA and Canada by CSA, in Europe with CE by GS and Australia with N-Tick. As with all ANSMANN products, the ACS110 is guaranteed for two years.

ANSMANN in profile
Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Assamstadt in Germany, ANSMANN is a leading manufacturer of power supplies, re-chargeable batteries and chargers for an extensive range of applications in both industrial and consumer markets. The company operates on a global basis with direct subsidiaries in the UK, France, Italy, Sweden, the Baltic States, Hong Kong and Macau supported by over 50 sales and distribution partners worldwide. The company invests extensively in research and development and continually adapts to stay at the forefront of the fast-changing market for mobile energy solutions. ANSMANN employs over 350 people worldwide.

For further information contact, Paul Channell, Managing Director, ANSMANN Energy (UK), e-mail: pchannell@ansmann.co.uk   Refer to page 166

HyperJack PoE+ Power Source Equipment
Integrated Connector Modules from Molex

Molex Incorporated (NASDAQ: MOLX and MOLXA) announces the HyperJack™ PoE+ Power Source Equipment (PSE), Integrated Connector Module (ICM). Available in 2x4 and 2x6 configurations, the HyperJack modules feature a fully integrated design that reduces the engineering effort allowing for plug-and-play Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+) without investing in development of PoE+ capability.

Picture shows the HyperJack PoE+ Power Source Equipment Integrated Connector Modules from Molex.

PoE is a technology that defines the transmission of both data and power to network devices over a standard Ethernet cable, eliminating the need for separate power supplies. PoE+ is the new IEEE 802.3at Power over Ethernet standard. It provides the opportunity for switch manufacturers to increase port-power output to 30W and will supersede the existing 15W 802.3af standard. The specification of this new 802.3at standard is backward compatible, supporting legacy 802.3af devices.

Based on the RJ45 jack, the design combines PoE+ controller silicon to manage and deliver 30W Power over Ethernet. This is coupled with Gigabit PoE+ magnetics to support Ethernet 10/100/1000, thermal management and a high level of protection against electro static discharge (ESD), electrical fast transient (EFT) and electromagnetic interference (EMI). The ICMs are available with two bi-colour light emitting diodes (LEDs) per port with a capability to indicate up to eight operating states. In addition, the HyperJack PoE+ PSE ICM design complies to PoETec V2.0 specifications with a standardised footprint and register set, allowing for simple drop-in upgrades and product expansion.

PSE Integrated Connector Modules provide engineers with flexible port configurations and a fast migration path from non-PoE to fully integrated PoE+ designs. Simply provide a 51-56V and 3.3V power supply to automatically manage and control power to connected Ethernet devices such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phones, wireless access points and security cameras. Extra management can be achieved via the I²C interface.

For more information on Molex HyperJack PoE+ PSE Integrated Connector Module, view website: www.molex.com/product/io/hyperjack.html   Refer to page 115

Pepperl+Fuchs has decided to
add the Amphenol RJ-Switch to its offer

To meet the requirements concerning industrial applications placed in explosive atmospheres, Pepperl+Fuchs, the German manufacturer of sensors and electronic components dedicated to industrial automation, has adopted the hardened Ethernet Switch developed by Amphenol, which complies with the ATEX Zone 2 regulations.

Certain industrial applications involve monitoring and control of industrial processes, together with data acquisition, in harsh environments, and sometimes even in working areas where explosive atmospheres can be present. For applications of this type, the consequences of the tiniest spark can be catastrophic. Hence the necessity of using specific equipment that is compatible with the dangerousness of the working zone in question.

Picture shows the hardened Ethernet Switch developed by Amphenol, which complies with the ATEX Zone 2 regulations.

These explosive atmosphere zones are covered by drastic regulations stemming from a European directive, the ATEX (Explosive Atmosphere) regulations, which define three main zones. Thus electronic equipment with ATEX Zone 2 classification is compatible with working atmospheres that are temporarily and/or slightly explosive, while equipment marked ATEX Zone 1 can be used in zones that frequently contain explosive atmospheres. ATEX Zone 0 equipment, for its part, is the only type that can be used in constantly explosive atmospheres.

To transmit signals outside dangerous zones to completely safe data processing areas, Amphenol has developed a hardened 5-port Ethernet Switch, the RJ Switch. Pepperl+Fuchs, the German manufacturer of sensors and electronic components dedicated to industrial automation, wanted to occupy that niche market, so it was seeking to enrich its offer with a high-quality product. Quite logically, it selected the Amphenol RJ Switch, which it now sells under the terms of an agreement signed with the American manufacturer.

Over and above the RJ Switch's ATEX Zone 2 classification, it also benefits from very careful manufacturing processes, and in particular it has unique technical characteristics that make it an unrivalled product on the market, from our point of view», said Andreas Grimsehl, the product marketing manager at Pepperl+Fuchs.

With its 5 ports, the RJ Switch has a range of 200 metres for Ethernet links and can distribute signals to other components in an Ethernet system.

The 5 RJ Switch ports are further strengthened by the RJFieldTM technology (an Amphenol patent). Furthermore, a mechanical spring enhances its locking safety. Disconnection of a port involves a further operation for the operator. Even though that operation is simple and does not require any specific tools, it still limits the risks of untimely disconnection under load.

What is more, it adapts to the maximum outputs of the equipment served, i.e. 10 or 100 Mbits/s. The switch´s intelligence is also to be seen in its Crossover function that automatically identifies the type of cables connected. Lastly, the RJ Switch is compatible with an IP68 sealing level and it can function at normal temperatures of between -40°C and +75°C, which enables its use in a very wide range of applications in harsh environments.

Amphenol in profile
Amphenol was founded in 1932. The company is one of the largest manufacturers of interconnect products in the world. The company designs, manufactures and markets electrical, electronic and fiber optic connectors, interconnect systems and coaxial and flat-ribbon cable. Amphenol-Socapex is a French company belonging to Amphenol corporate group. Amphenol-Socapex designs, manufactures and provides electrical and optical connectors and interconnection systems, ideally suited to harsh environment needs. Its key markets are focused on mil-aero and industrial applications such as: C4ISR, commercial and military airframe, marine, ground vehicles, weapons and munitions, and space; but also: homeland security, machine tool, oil & gas, mining, railway, entertainment, and medical equipment. Amphenol S capex imposes as a specialist of MIL-DTL-38999 derived products, high density PCB connectors, field bus and rugged Ethernet solutions, and harsh environment optical connectors.

For further information contact, Stéphane MALARD, e-mail: stephane.malard@amphenol-socapex.fr   Refer to page 143